Country Roads: Lyrics, Meaning & How It Became USMNT World Cup Anthem

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Jordan follows a wide range of sports, but his passions lie in professional wrestling, football, F1, and middle and long-distance running. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account There are few songs that feel as quintessentially American as John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The country-folk classic is well over 50 years old, but it continues to endure in the minds of American sports fans.

And with World Cup mania at fever pitch, buoyed by the form of the United States national team, the John Denver hit has found a new choir to belt out its timeless lyrics from the stands.

The track is synonymous with American culture, evoking images of endless stretches of tarmac and the unity that comes with the country's distinct brand of patriotism. But it is also a song that has found a global following, regularly echoing around football stadiums all over the world.

It therefore feels apt that after a long tour of the world's finest stadia, that this American staple finds its way home to become the anthem for the country's home World Cup. And if USMNT can go deep into the tournament, that chorus of voices will surely grow in strength and numbers.

From Munich to Manchester and plenty in between, there is a rich history of iconic football anthems. Here are 15 of the best.

Despite the deep connection between the American people and John Denver's classic track, the story behind its selection is relatively straightforward. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA asked each of the 48 participating countries to provide a song to be played in the stadium should their team win a match.

After discussions between the players and the US Soccer Federation, three songs were put forward: Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" and Denver's "Country Roads."

As any England fan will tell you, "Sweet Caroline" has been adopted as the go-to anthem for the England national team, so Diamond's hit was ruled out. That left the American fans with two solid choices. "Livin' on a Prayer" became the theme song for the notorious second half hydration breaks, leaving "Country Roads" to become the track associated with any USMNT victories in the tournament.

Following his debut at the 2026 World Cup for the US team, defender Aaron Trusty reflected on the power of Denver's song. "I think 'Country Roads' is a very American song," said Trusty. "To hear that in the stadium, everyone singing along - everyone. If you're American, you probably know that song, so everyone's singing and celebrating the win, and you're smiling and happy with the teammates. It's a dream come true. It's feelings that you can't really describe."

"Country Roads" fits the World Cup, especially when it concerns bringing people together from all over the world. The song is about returning to one's roots and the pull of home, which is very applicable to many of the USMNT players who now ply their trade in the European leagues.

It is a track that has survived and been passed down from generation to generation, and during a time of immense unity, the theme of the song matches up perfectly with the ambitions of the American team and its supporters.

Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze

Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye

I hear her voice in the mornin' hour, she calls me

The radio reminds me of my home far away

That I should've been home yesterday, yesterday

A symbol of West Virginia, with the landlocked state being name checked in the song, John Denver's "Country Roads" first hit the airwaves in the spring of 1971.

The country-folk track resonated instantly and endured throughout the year, eventually peaking in August at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, four months after its release.

Denver co-wrote the song with Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert, who would go on to gain further notoriety for another country crossover hit, "Afternoon Delight" in 1975.

As well as becoming West Virginia's regional anthem, the track continues to endure as a cultural symbol of belonging, taking pride in one's regional identity, and uniting diverse populations.

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